VISTAS AND VALLEYS FROM PYM CHAIR

From Andrew’s Edge with Lamaload Reservoir in the distance.

The summit of Shining Tor, at 559m, is the highest point in Cheshire. It is situated on a fine ridge walk, popular with East Cheshire Ramblers, and affords superb views towards local landmarks, such as Shutlingsloe (506m) and ‘The Cat & Fiddle Inn’ on Buxton New Road. The ridge forms part of the border between Cheshire and Derbyshire, and follows an old packhorse route used to carry salt from Cheshire and lime and coal from Derbyshire.

Shining Tor was the first of several high points on a recent nine mile walk, when twenty-two Ramblers set off from Pym Chair Car Park, led by Andrew Davies. After their gradual climb along the ridge and time to admire the summit vista, the ramblers descended steeply, tracking generally west then northward along Andrew’s Edge on rough grassland. They enjoyed a short break overlooking picturesque King’s Clough and Lamaload Reservoir, before continuing across rather boggy moorland to Redmoor Farm, then down and up a short steep stretch of road to Jenkin Chapel.

A more gradual ascent on tracks and paths took them past Green Booth to Summerclose and Charles Head Farms, though they paused on the way for a picnic lunch gazing across the steeply-sided valley towards Windgather rocks, which they would reach later along their route. Soon they were once again descending steeply, this time to cross Todd Brook, before climbing more gradually on its far side past Near Carr Farm to Five Lane Ends. As the walkers turned south to walk along Taxal Edge and Windgather Rocks, the low sun to the west broke through the clouds, and faint shafts of sunlight against the mid-afternoon mist lent a rather mystical quality to the landscape. A final mile along this ridge brought the ramblers back to the car park, where all agreed it had been a very enjoyable walk.

Helen Richardson

View towards Shutlingsloe from Shining Tor